On the eighteenth of October I ticketed for Malmö by way of Nörrkoping,
taking the train from the central station. The seat opposite mine in
the well-cushioned compartment was occupied by a lady of middle age.
She kept her suit case near her seat as if she feared it might become
lost.
Little was said at the beginning of the trip. She took observations
through the window of the compartment, especially of the outlying
districts of the city, a part of which is known as Gamle Stockholm, and
seemed interested in the fields, gardens and forests.
I busied myself reading in a guide of Sweden. At length we began a
conversation. She tried to convey the idea that she spoke no language
but Swedish, but I soon discovered her accent to be that of a Slav and
that she was able to converse freely in German.
Pointing my finger at her, I said, "You are a Russian spy and the
evidence is in your suit case."
To me it seemed that her face displayed all the colors of the rainbow.
She threw up her hands excitedly, moving them up and down like a
country pedlar.
"Sir," she said at length, "you surprise me, you offend my loyalty. Why
accuse me for no other reason than that I am a Russian?"
"Calm yourself, madam," I replied. "Although I am an American, I know
of your work and have you noted in a list of people who are practicing
espionage. However, you need not fear me in the least. I am neutral and
am interested in you only as a matter of general information."
Then I showed her my American passport and many letters of
identification, in which manner she was led to confide in me. My guess
had proven a correct one.
She gave her name as Miss Michailowitsch and showed me some letters to
bear out her statement. The work she was doing consisted of coöperating
with others in watching Finland, where the men of military age had
become restive and many were emigrating. It was her special business
to observe these people and, if possible, learn who and how many were
joining the German army in Poland and on the Dvinsk River.
I left the train at Nörrkoping while Miss Michailowitsch went on to
Malmö. At the time of leaving the train, I advised her to change her
occupation, if she valued her life. This admonition elicited a bland
smile.